Latest news with #KaiwaTechnology
News18
2 hours ago
- Science
- News18
From Humanoid Gestation To GEAIR Crop Breeder: China's Futuristic Robots Unveiled
1/8 Chinese Scientists Say Humanoid Robot Could Give Birth To Baby. (Illustrations: News18) 3/8 The project, led by Dr Zhang Qifeng of Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou, seeks to replicate pregnancy within an artificial womb. (Illustrations: News18) Dr. Zhang, a PhD graduate from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, stated that the technology has now reached a 'mature stage." (Illustrations: News18) GEAIR (Genome Editing with AI Robotic plant breeding), developed by China's Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, is the world's first full-process AI breeding robot. (Illustrations: News18) 6/8 7/8 Pollen Harvest: Gathers pollen with a vibrating rod for future use. (Illustrations: News18) 8/8
Independent Singapore
2 hours ago
- Science
- Independent Singapore
World's first humanoid pregnancy robot with artificial womb worth under RMB100K led by NTU-affiliated Kaiwa Technology founder to launch in 2026
Photo: Freepik/valeria_aksakova (for illustration purposes only) BEIJING: The world's first humanoid pregnancy robot with an artificial womb is expected to be launched next year by Chinese technology firm Kaiwa Technology at just under RMB100,000 (S$17,854). The project, led by its founder Dr Zhang Qifeng, an academic at Nanyang Technological University, was presented at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing, as reported by Dimsum Daily . The humanoid robot is designed to replicate a full-term pregnancy from conception to delivery through an artificial womb filled with artificial amniotic fluid. A tube will be used to supply nutrients to the foetus, mimicking the function of the placenta. Dr Zhang said the artificial womb technology has already been refined in laboratory settings, with the next step being its integration into the humanoid robot—a prototype expected within a year. The project builds on earlier experiments, including the success in 2017 at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where a premature lamb was successfully nurtured in a transparent 'biobag' filled with artificial amniotic fluid. The lamb developed normally, including growing wool within weeks. See also President Tharman: AI will help ease talent shortage While the robot could provide an alternative for infertile couples or those looking to avoid the physical demands of pregnancy, it has raised ethical and legal discussions. Dr Zhang noted that consultations with authorities in Guangdong Province have begun, and policy drafts are in preparation to address societal concerns. Currently, artificial wombs function as neonatal incubators that support life only after partial gestation. An AI-powered breeding robot from the Chinese Academy of Sciences that uses gene editing and 'speed breeding' techniques to improve crop yields was also presented at the conference. /TISG Read also: Singapore ranks 2nd worldwide in AI readiness but falls behind in AI innovation () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
News18
3 hours ago
- Health
- News18
Pregnancy Without Women? Chinese Scientists Say Humanoid Robot Could Give Birth To Baby
Last Updated: Chinese scientists, led by Dr. Zhang Qifeng, claim the world's first humanoid robot surrogate may soon give birth, aiming to replicate pregnancy within an artificial womb. Chinese scientists have claimed that the world's first humanoid robot surrogate may soon be able to give birth to a live baby. The project, led by Dr Zhang Qifeng of Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou, seeks to replicate pregnancy within an artificial womb. The baby would grow inside the robot's body in a womb-like space filled with artificial amniotic fluid. Dr Zhang is already in talks with Guangdong authorities to draft laws and rules for this technology. The baby would develop for nine months, receiving nutrients through a tube before delivery. Dr. Zhang, a PhD graduate from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, stated that the technology has now reached a 'mature stage." 'It now needs to be implanted in the robot's abdomen, enabling interaction between a real person and the robot to achieve pregnancy and allow the fetus to develop inside," The Telegraph quoted him as saying. A prototype is expected to go on sale next year for around 100,000 yuan (more than Rs 12 lakh). Reports say the humanoid can replicate the entire pregnancy journey, from conception to delivery, Live Mint reported. The innovation has raised major legal and ethical debates. But if proven successful, it could change medicine and family life forever. It is being viewed as a potential solution to China's rising infertility rate, which increased from 11.9% in 2007 to 18% in 2020. While supporters hail it as a groundbreaking advancement, critics raise concerns over its ethical implications. Supporters also believe artificial wombs could protect women from health risks linked to pregnancy and free them from the physical strain of carrying a child. As the debate unfolds, the central question persists: can such machines ever genuinely replicate human gestation? However, critics further argue that the technology is 'problematic" and unethical because it removes the natural bond between mother and child. Medical experts remain sceptical about whether science can replicate complex processes such as maternal hormone regulation. Radical feminist Andrea Dworkin once warned that artificial wombs could signal 'the end of women," The Telegraph reported. Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia had earlier cautioned that this technology might make pregnancy appear as a medical condition. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Science
- First Post
Surrogacy in the age of AI: Could a 'pregnancy robot' soon give birth to children?
Chinese scientists are reportedly developing the world's first 'pregnancy robot', a humanoid that will carry a baby in an artificial womb and mimic a full-term pregnancy. For those struggling to conceive, hiring a humanoid to carry their baby will cost 100,000 yuan (around Rs 12 lakh). Here's how it will work The "pregnancy robot" was conceptualised by Dr Zhang Qifeng, founder of Kaiwa Technology, which is based in Guangzhou, a city in China. AI-generated representative image It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi thriller. But in China, scientists are reportedly working on the world's first 'pregnancy robot', a humanoid designed to carry a baby in an artificial womb and give birth. Experts say the machine, equipped with a system that feeds the foetus nutrients through a hose, could one day mimic a full-term pregnancy before giving birth, according to Chosun Biz. If that sounds like a wild leap, it's really just the next step in how far AI has already seeped into our lives. From being our friend and companion to some, perhaps one day, it may even take on the role of a mother. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So how close are we to that reality? And how would a humanoid 'birth machine' actually work? Here's what we know. How the 'pregnancy robot' would work The 'pregnancy robot' was conceptualised by Dr Zhang Qifeng, founder of Kaiwa Technology, which is based in Guangzhou, a city in China. If all goes according to plan, the prototype will make its debut next year. The device he envisions is not simply an incubator but a humanoid that can replicate the entire process from conception to delivery. 'The artificial womb technology is already in a mature stage, and now it needs to be implanted in the robot's abdomen so that a real person and the robot can interact to achieve pregnancy, allowing the fetus to grow inside,' Qifeng told Chosun Biz. The device he envisions is not simply an incubator but a humanoid that can replicate the entire process from conception to delivery. AI-generated representative image For those struggling to conceive, hiring a humanoid to carry their baby, a prototype of the humanoid is set to be sold for 100,000 yuan (around Rs 12 lakh) next year. Dr Zhang explained that the concept isn't entirely new. In earlier experiments, scientists managed to keep premature lambs alive for weeks inside an artificial womb that resembled a plastic bag. This 'biobag' provided everything a developing foetus would need: a nutrient-rich blood supply and a protective sac of amniotic fluid, allowing the lambs to continue growing outside the mother's body. The ethics debate But while the science is fascinating, it has opened a Pandora's box of legal and ethical debates. Supporters say it could change the future of medicine and family life, especially in a country like China, where infertility has sharply risen, from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 18 per cent in 2020. For some, the pregnancy robot offers hope where traditional treatments fail. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On social media, many users echoed this, with one noting: 'Many families pay significant expenses for artificial insemination only to fail, so the development of the pregnancy robot contributes to society.' But critics aren't convinced. They argue that depriving a foetus of maternal connection is cruel and unnatural, raising questions about how eggs would even be sourced for the process. Andrea Dworkin, the radical feminist writer, had once warned against such technology, fearing it could mean 'the end of women'. Supporters say it could change the future of medicine and family life, especially in a country like China, where infertility has sharply risen over the years. AI-generated representative image 'Women already have the power to eliminate men, and in their collective wisdom, have decided to keep them. The real question now is, will men, once the artificial womb is perfected, want to keep women around?' Dworkin wrote in 2012. Similarly, researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia wrote in 2022 that artificial wombs risk 'pathologising' pregnancy, treating a natural process as a medical condition to be engineered. Despite the concerns, Chinese researchers have already taken the idea to the authorities. In Guangdong Province, discussions on the ethical and legal implications of 'pregnancy robots' have been held, and formal proposals have been submitted as part of ongoing policy and legislative deliberations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
China's 2026 humanoid robot pregnancy with artificial womb: A revolutionary leap in reproductive technology
What if robots could give birth? That future is closer than you think. In a bold announcement at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing, Dr. Zhang Qifeng, founder of Kaiwa Technology, unveiled plans for a humanoid robot pregnancy system powered by an artificial to debut a working prototype in 2026, this breakthrough could transform infertility treatments, reproductive medicine, and even scientific research. The robot's artificial womb mimics a real pregnancy, complete with synthetic amniotic fluid and a nutrient delivery system that supports fetal development from conception to birth. According to the New York Post, this next-gen innovation aims to do more than just replicate biology, it could revolutionize how we define parenthood, offering hope to those unable to conceive and raising deep ethical questions worldwide. As China pushes the boundaries of science and robotics, the world stands at the edge of a new era where machines might not just build our future, but give life to it. Artificial womb in humanoid robot pregnancy: Simulating the complete gestation process At the heart of the humanoid robot pregnancy system lies a groundbreaking artificial womb, engineered to replicate the functions of a human uterus with remarkable precision. This advanced system delivers nutrients, oxygen, and temperature regulation, creating an optimal environment to support fetal development through a full 10-month gestation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Writing in English Doesn't Have to Feel Hard Grammarly Learn More Undo According to Dr. Zhang Qifeng, the womb is fully integrated into the robot's body and capable of managing every stage from fertilization and implantation to full-term pregnancy. Beyond its reproductive potential, the technology opens new frontiers in medical research, offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study pregnancy complications, genetic disorders, and maternal-fetal interactions in a controlled, observable setting. This level of access and control has never before been possible in natural human gestation. Humanoid robot pregnancy prototype launch and cost Dr. Zhang confirmed that the first prototype of the humanoid robot pregnancy system will be unveiled in 2026. Priced at around 100,000 yuan (approximately $13,900 USD), this innovation could become a more affordable alternative to traditional surrogacy, which often comes with high costs and complex legal challenges. By making this technology accessible, millions of couples struggling with infertility might finally find a new path to parenthood. Beyond affordability, the system promises to ease the physical and emotional burdens that pregnancy can place on human mothers, offering a safer and less stressful experience. This breakthrough could not only change the future of reproductive medicine but also redefine what it means to carry and nurture new life. Ethical and legal considerations of humanoid robot pregnancy While the technology promises transformative benefits, it also raises complex ethical and legal questions. Dr. Zhang highlighted ongoing discussions with Guangdong authorities regarding regulation and policy frameworks. Important debates include the definition of parenthood, the rights of a child born via robotic gestation, and broader societal implications. Clear legal and ethical guidelines will be essential to ensure that humanoid robot pregnancy technology is applied responsibly. Potential applications and societal impact of humanoid robot pregnancy Humanoid robot pregnancy could revolutionize infertility solutions, offering an alternative to traditional surrogacy. Beyond personal reproduction, it may serve as a valuable research tool, enabling scientists to observe fetal development and pregnancy in controlled conditions. The societal impact of widespread adoption could be profound, potentially influencing family structures, reproductive rights, and global medical practices. Ethical oversight and public dialogue will be crucial as the technology develops. China's humanoid robot pregnancy system, featuring a fully integrated artificial womb, represents a groundbreaking step in reproductive medicine, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The official announcement by Dr. Zhang Qifeng has positioned this project at the forefront of global innovation. As the prototype approaches its 2026 launch, ongoing discussion around ethical, legal, and societal implications will be vital to ensure that this revolutionary technology benefits humanity responsibly. Also read| Eating 60 grams of almonds daily can protect DNA and reduce oxidative stress: Study
